Shouldn't Obama be speaking out against Abraham Lincoln's policies?

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brian

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Obama has been speaking about Lincoln a lot, all you will probably hear more about Lincoln on Tuesday. My question is shouldn't Obama be speaking out against Lincoln's policies?

Specifically, the Emancipation Proclamation was an Executive Order issued by Lincoln; would Barack Obama consider that an abuse of power?

What about the fact that Lincoln suspended habeas corpus during the war?

What about the fact that Lincoln initiated a draft in the civil war which allowed someone to avoid it by paying $300?

While I respect Obama's vision and references to Lincoln, I feel that Barack is focusing on the ends rather than the means.
Please note I was being sarcastic in my question and I think Lincoln is one of the greatest presidents.
 
Well, Brian, all people are multidimensional. Even Lincoln did some things that were wrong. But, obviously, it would be disrespectful and unnecessary to have a discussion about all of the things Lincoln did wrong. That's what history class is for. Columbus did some nasty things, MLK plagiarized some writings, Washington owned slaves, Mother Theresa doubted the existence of God. Yet, all of these people did some amazing things. We learn from history by not repeating the mistakes of our predecessors. We don't have to actually criticize their wrongs long after their deaths to learn from their mistakes. It is a common and acceptable practice to take what we like from a culture or person and incorporate it into our own lives....in fact, Americans do this ALL THE TIME. Despite some of the less appropriate decisions of Lincoln, overall, he is one of our finest Presidents.
 
Good points! I was wondering if he ever read Lincoln's bio. Lincoln did not always oppose slavery. In fact, he only signed the EP to end the war! Lincoln was taken by surprise by the commitment the Confederates had to winning the war. It lasted alot longer than Old Abe thought it would. He thought he could crush them in a week. When his generals swept through the south, burning, looting and killing, on Lincoln's orders, it was to end the war. He took drastic measures because he knew the North was losing the war. But, ending slavery indeed did do the trick. Alas, it did backfire on him though.
 
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